Yankees Reportedly Showing Interest In Red Sox Slugger After Strong Season
Would the Boston Red Sox trade away one of their best players to the rival New York Yankees?
Time will tell. But it appears that the Yankees have interest in making a deal happen and the Red Sox are open to offers.
"Red Sox may not be actively shopping outfielder Alex Verdugo, there is indeed interest from other clubs as reported by (The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham and others," Beyond The Monster's Chris Henrique wrote Wednesday. "One team to continue to keep an eye on for Verdugo is the Yankees, per source."
MassLive's Sean McAdam made a similar claim as he's heard New York could make a run for Verdugo.
Verdugo has been the center of Boston's trade rumors since the Major League Baseball trade deadline and speculation continues to grow.
The 27-year-old hit .264 with 55 extra-base hits including 13 home runs, 54 RBIs and a .745 OPS in 142 games. He also logged one out above average and nine defensive runs saved in the extremely difficult Fenway Park right field. He was nominated for an American League Gold Glove award by fell to Texas Rangers' Adolis García.
Verdugo has just one year left on his deal and as of season's end, the Red Sox had not inquired about an extension. If they were to deal the eccentric outfielder, it should be for an MLB-ready starting pitcher.
The Yankees have some enticing pitching prospects but are not exactly the perfect trade partner. It would probably make more sense to contact the Cleveland Guardians about Shane Bieber or the Milwaukee Brewers about Corbin Burnes -- two teams that have offensive deficiencies.
Trading Verdugo in the division would make little sense since Boston should not have to. It's also not necessarily smart to trade Verdugo at all. He's arguably the most complete player on the roster and a part of the current core.
If a deal is going to be made, sending him to the other side of Boston's historic rival is not the answer.
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